Olathe – Oklahoma Joe’s

by Kansas Pork Farmers on January 4, 2011

Oklahoma Joe’s Olathe Location.

It seems that in every corner of the world a certain restaurant exists that hardly needs introduction to the public anymore, but still deserves to be propped up from time to time because of its excellence in such a field. One of those places is “Oklahoma Joe’s Barbecue” in Kansas City, KS. If you ask the locals about this place, you’re sure to hear the words “best barbecue around” uttered. The popularity of this place goes much deeper than basic urban legend too. Oklahoma Joes has been named Kansas City’s best barbecue restaurant by Zagat in 2008, 2009, and 2010, and the overall third best place to eat in all of Kansas City. If that’s not enough proof for you, then consider that it came in at #13 on a list of restaurants from around the world put together by Anthony Bourdain of Travel Channel called “13 Places to Eat Before you Die”.

Luckily for BBQ lovers, Oklahoma Joe’s now has two locations in the Kansas City area. The original location, in Kansas City, KS, is literally inside a real, live working gas station on the northeast corner of 47th and Mission Rd. The second, newer location is in Olathe on the southwest corner of 119th and Strangline Rd., near I-35.

I’ve been to both locations several times and am quite familiar with the food. With no reason to continue putting off doing it, I thought it was high time I wrote about this place for the Kansas Pork Association. On my latest trip I decided to go to the Olathe location because the lines tend to be a bit shorter there (something to keep in mind if you’re deciding which one to go to).

If loving this is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

I had the “½ slab meal”, which consisted of a ½ slab of ribs and one side dish. It was all excellent to say the least. The ribs were lean and moist, and simply fell of the bones. They were in no way tough or dry, and required no sauce, even though I did put a little of the sauce on them because it is so good at this place! From my past experiences I can say wholeheartedly that when it comes to pork barbecue, you cannot go wrong with this place. The pulled pork, the pork sausage, the ham, and of course the ribs are all as good as you will find as far as I’m concerned. The fries, beans, onion rings, slaw, and other sides are absolutely amazing as well.

If you want to eat at one of the best barbecue places Kansas City has to offer and have a unique atmosphere in which to dine, then you can’t go wrong eating at OK Joe’s. If you get to choose between the locations, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t matter which one you went to. If you have the option, go the original one at least once, for the experience if nothing else. This is not a “fine dining” experience with linens and candles on the table. It’s loud and a bit crowded at times at the KCK location, but that’s the way good, fast barbecue ought to be I think. If the new one is simply more convenient for you, go to it, because the food is just as good, and like I said above, the line to order tends to be shorter and the place is not as crowded.

Spices at the Kansas City Barbecue Store.

An added benefit to going to the Olathe location is, as you can see in the first picture in this post, it sits next door to the “Kansas City Barbecue Store”. They fittingly share an interior door that is a gateway from one BBQ paradise to another. The Kansas City Barbecue Store is a true one-stop shop for those interested in smoking and barbecuing meat. There are more sauces and dry rubs than you can count, as well as smokers, wood pellets, cookbooks, and kitchen tools galore. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop in. Whether you’re an avid meat smoker or just a person looking for a new bottle of BBQ sauce to put in the fridge it will be like a trip to Oklahoma Joe’s, you won’t be disappointed.

This smorgasbord of kitchen fun could be yours.

This week’s giveaway, made possible by the Kansas Pork Association, is from a quaint little store in St. Marys, KS named Florence Adams. If you ever find yourself in the St. Marys area, we strongly suggest that you drop by and take a look around. It has clothes, kitchen accessories and an assortment of interesting gifts. The giveaway includes: (1)16 oz. Stainless Steel Gravy and Sauce Server; (1) 5 Qt. Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl (1) 3 Qt. Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl (3)Flowersack Teatowels and (1) set of Casabella Gourmet silicone pot and pan grips.

Answer the question below for a chance to win. We will randomly choose one person from the comments below on 11 a.m. Monday, January 10.

Slow cooker pulled pork shoulder, with chili, garlic, onions, red pepper and a few hot peppers. Simmered in a chicken or beef broth, until it falls apart. Shred and serve on a toasted foccacia bun. Mmmmmm , think i may just have to take one out of the freezer now 🙂

The one i have leftovers of in the fridge right now that i'm about to have for dinner.Pork and KrautAs Big a Pork roast that will fit in your cooker and still have room for;2 small cans of sauerkraut (drained);1 large onion (chopped);1 can of beer (or 12 oz of apple cider) Drain the Kraut and put it in slow cooker.Salt, Pepper and otherwise liberally spice or rub the pork with the spice blend of your choice. In a hot skillet with a little oil in it sear the roast on all sides until browned well.Place roast in cooker on top of Kraut. Add chopped onion on top of roast Poor Beer (or Cider) in around roastCook on LOW for 24 hours (YES, 24 HOURS)Enjoy.Variations: If you like a sweeter Kraut, drain and rinse the Kraut very well. add 14 cup brown sugar in with kraut and use apple cider as the liquidIf YOU hate Kraut. A couple of cans of apple pie filling and cider make a sweet roast you could serve for desert.Now to go eat some leftovers

My absolute favorite is Pork Carnitas with slow-cooked pork butt because it is DELICIOUS and CHEAP.I use this recipe from Allrecipes.com http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Carnitas-Filling/Detail.aspx, but it's pretty easy to wing it too.Excellent with fried corn tortillas, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, etc.!

I love pulled pork, but have never made it myself! Maybe you can post one of your favorite recipes. Also thanks for linking up to my blog! Always good to have a mix of pork and beef! I done do chicken ;)www.cdycattle.blogspot.com

Thank you to all that commented and a special thanks to those that included recipes! The winner is Dylan! Dylan, if you could please contact our partner in crime Jodi at jodit@kspork.org, she will ship your winnings. Crystal, we really enjoy reading your blog and hope that our readers take a trip over to http://www.cdycattle.blogspot.com too. Here's a pulled pork recipe for you to try. It's one of our favorites!Perfect Pulled PorkIngredients:1 5-pound boneless pork butt (shoulder)1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika2 teaspoons black pepper1 teaspoon cayenne1 teaspoon dried thyme1 teaspoon garlic powder1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup watersoft sandwich bunsCooking Directions IconCooking Directions:Combine all the seasonings in a small bowl and rub evenly over roast. Place meat in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add water. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours or until pork is very tender.Remove pork to a large cutting board or platter and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Pull, slice or chop to serve. Serve in buns with barbecue sauce. Makes 16-20 servingsServing Suggestions IconServing Suggestions:Bring the flavor of pulled pork to your slow cooker. Add your favorite bottled barbecue sauce and nothing could be simplier. Serve with baked beans, coleslaw, and potato chips.Nutrition IconNutrition:Calories: 210 caloriesProtein: 28 gramsFat: 10 gramsSodium: 170 milligramsCholesterol: 95 milligramsSaturated Fat: 3 gramsCarbohydrates: 1 gramsFiber: 0 gramsVisit http://www.theotherwhitemeat.com for more great pulled pork recipes.